Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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53. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the discussions his officials have had with IDA Ireland with regard to the development of data centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34990/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Officials in my Department liaise regularly with IDA Ireland in relation to enterprise policy, including data centres.

Since the publication of the ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Policy’, in June 2018, IDA Ireland has been promoting regional options for data centre investments. It has identified sites throughout Ireland suitable for accommodating data centre projects. This site assessment includes proximity to energy and other infrastructures, subject to the planning and environmental oversight required. IDA Ireland only facilitates investment in projects that are deemed likely to deliver real economic benefits. It is important to note that IDA can not determine the eventual location of data centres.

Almost all data centre developments to date have been in the Dublin region and, as required under state-aid restrictions, have received no financial support from IDA. However, other factors make Ireland an attractive location for this type of investment, including a stable energy grid, temperate climate and our available skills.

Data centres are an important part of the modern global economy and support the growing digital and data-based characteristics of many businesses, including manufacturing, global business services, retail and financial services. Data centres are a key infrastructure component of the country’s FDI technology sector, a sector that currently employs over 100,000 people in high quality jobs. Companies in this Sector are world leading and regard data centres as foundational to their growth and development.